Course: Biology of fungal organisms

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Course title Biology of fungal organisms
Course code BOT/BHO
Organizational form of instruction Lecture
Level of course Master
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter
Number of ECTS credits 3
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Mieslerová Barbora, doc. RNDr. Ph.D.
  • Lebeda Aleš, prof. Ing. DrSc.
Course content
The main attention is paid to general characteristics of fungal organisms, their evolution and speciation, basic problems of classification and taxonomy, cytology, morphology, reproduction and genetics, physiology, metabolism, ecology, importance and utilization of fungal organisms (mainly in biotechnology). The lectures include topics such as thallus morphology, hyphae and their modifications, anatomy and morphology of fungal sporocarps and spores. Reproduction of fungi, life cycles of representatives of main fungal groups. Genetics and genetic variability of fungi - cell division, mutations, parasexuality, heterokaryosis, genetics of virulence and pathogenicity. Fungal physiology - nutrition, influence of environmental factors; metabolism - glycolysis, respiration, bioluminescence, primary and secondary metabolites. Ecological classification of fungal organisms - saprotrophs, symbionts (mycorrhizal fungi, lichenes, zoosymbiosis), zoo- and phytopathogenic fungi - classification, distribution and importance. Mycotoxicology (toxins of micromycetes and macromycetes). Utilization of fungi in industry, agriculture, biotechnology and medicine. 1. Characteristics of fungi. Systematics od fungi. Fossil records of fungi. 2. Growth and development of fungi. Environemntal factors influencing growth and development of fungi. 3. Morphology of thallus, hyphae and their modification, anatomy and morphology of sporocarps. 4. Spores - characteristics, releasing and distribution. 5. Reproduction of fungi, life cycles. 6. Genetics and genetic variation of fungi - mutation, heterokaryosis, parasexuality, genetics of virulence and pathogenity, homothalism and heterothalism. 7. Physiology of fungi - modes of fungal nutrition. Metabolism - fungal enzymes, glykolysis, respiration, fermentation, bioluminiscence, primary and secondary metabolites. 8. Ecological classification of fungi. Ecological succession, life strategies, stress, competition. Saprotrophic fungi. 9. Symbiotic fungi (mycorrhiza, lichenism, zoosymbiosis). 10. Zoo- and phytopathogenic fungi - classification, distribution and importance. 11. Mycotoxicology, toxins of micro - and macromycetes. 12. Exploitation of fungi in industry, agriculture, biotechnology and medicine.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Lecture, Demonstration, Projection (static, dynamic)
Learning outcomes
The lectures are focused on general principles of fungal biology and ecology.
Student should be able to (after attending the course): - Recall fungal terminology (systematics, morphology, anatomy). - Describe main characteristics of reproduction modes and life-cycles in Fungi. - Classify Fungi according to thein ecology. - Discuss the use of Fungi in the industry and biotechnology.
Prerequisites
-

Assessment methods and criteria
Mark, Written exam, Seminar Work

1. Writing the seminary essay in the extent of 8-10 pages 2. Exam: 3-4 randomly selected questions from the lectures
Recommended literature
  • Alexopoulos, C.J., Mims, C.W., Blackwell, M. (1996). Introductory Mycology. John Wiley & Sons, New York.
  • Carlile, M.J., Watkinson S.C., Gooday, G.W. (2001). The fungi. Second Edition. Academic Press, San Diego.
  • Deacon, J.W. (1997). Modern Mycology. 3rd edition. Blackwell Science Ltd.. Oxford.
  • Dix, N.J., Webster, J. (1995). Fungal Ecology. Chapman & Hall, London.
  • Esser, K., Lemke, P.A. (Eds.). (2006). The Mycota, Vols. I-XII. 1994-. Springer, Berlin.
  • Griffin D.H. (1994). Fungal Physiology. Willey-Liss, New York.
  • Hawksworth, D.L., Kirk, P.M., Sutton, B.C., Pegler, D.N. (1995). Ainsworth & Bisby´s dictionary of the fungi. 8th edition.. CAB International, University Press, Cambridge, UK.
  • Hudson H. J. (1986). Fungal Biology. Edward Arnold Publishers Ltd., London.
  • Kavanagh, K. (Ed.). (2005). Fungi. Biology and Applications. Wiley, Chichester. Chichester.
  • Klán, J. (1989). Co víme o houbách. SPN Praha.
  • Moore, D., Novak Frazer, L.A. (2002). Essentials fungal genetics. Springer-Verlag, New York, USA.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Botany (2021) Category: Biology courses 1 Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: Winter